The Duty to Protect: Ethical, Legal, And Clinical Considerations

Presenters' Biographies:  

James L. Werth, Jr., Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Radford University where he is also the Director of the Psy.D. Program in Counseling Psychology. He is a pro bono psychologist for a local women's resource center and a local free clinic. He has authored/co-authored many articles and chapters on ethical or legal topics. He served on the APA's Ad Hoc Committee on Legal Issues and Ad Hoc Committee on End-of-Life Issues, and was on the Ohio Psychological Association's Ethics and Colleague Assistance Committee. He received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Auburn University and his Master of Legal Studies from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

Elizabeth Reynolds Welfel, Ph.D. is a Professor at Cleveland State University. She has authored numerous articles and chapters on the ethics of professional practice and her book, Ethics in Counseling and Psychotherapy: Standards, Research and Emerging Issues (2006), is in its third edition. Her recent research has centered on ethical issues in E-therapy, professionals responsibilities for their own non-egregious ethical errors, and practitioners understanding of their ethical and legal responsibilities with minors and older adults. She received her doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Minnesota in 1979 and taught in the counseling psychology program at Boston College prior to her move to Cleveland State. She has been a licensed psychologist in Ohio since 1986.

G. Andrew H. Benjamin, J.D., Ph.D. serves as the Director, Parenting Evaluation/Training Program (PETP), a program of Antioch University and University of Washington where he works with families engaged in high-conflict litigation. He was named "Professional of the Year" by the Washington Bar Association's Family Law Section. After his Presidency of the Washington State Psychological Association, his colleagues created an award named after him for "outstanding and tireless contributions." He was honored by the Puyallup Indian Nation's Health Authority for serving as a "modern day warrior fighting the mental illnesses, drug-alcohol addictions." He has chaired the APA's Committee on Legal Issues, and Policy and Planning Board. He currently serves as the APA Council's Parliamentarian. He has published 40 peer reviewed articles, and two books published by APA including: Family Evaluation in Custody Litigation: Reducing Risks of Ethical Infractions and Malpractice (2003).